Slovakian skier Petra Vlhová achieved her best result of the current World Cup season on Tuesday.
Photo: TASR, Martin Baumann
Petra Vlhova in Semmering.
She took second place in the giant slalom in Semmering, Austria, behind American Mikaela Shiffrin by 13 hundredths of a second.
After the first round, Vlhová was in second position with a loss of 72 cents against Shiffrinová, and in the following competition she achieved the fastest time among all competitors (1:01.10 min).
The total was not enough for the winner, but the Slovak surpassed her previous record this season: third place, which she has won four times.
“Finally a number other than three. However, it wasn’t easy, we needed to get familiar with running, but it’s gradually getting better,” said assistant coach Matej Gemza after the match.
Vlhova’s second run was considerably better than Shiffrin’s, she was over half a second faster. However, the deficit from the previous round was too high, so Gemza gave credit to the general classification leader:
“Peta made no mistakes, that was the start. Mikaela was able to ride the small off-road waves better, gained speed and was already going.”
Vlhová put in a quality performance despite stomach problems. She admitted the first round was a struggle and she even considered withdrawing from the contest.
“I thought about it, but I didn’t really think about it. I didn’t feel well. I gave it time, I’m happy to feel good and to be here,” said the 27-year-old skier after the race.
Further complications awaited her on the track, which was not in ideal conditions due to the relatively high temperatures. However, according to her, this factor did not affect the Slovak, and the assistant coach had a similar opinion:
“The track was icy, but not completely flat due to the bad weather. The women runners go blind in places, so it doesn’t look very aesthetic.”
Tuesday’s giant slalom in Semmering replaced the canceled race in Sölden, Austria. A race of the same discipline is scheduled for Wednesday, and it is Gemza who is building the track for this “breakthrough”.
Read also Vlha’s parade in front of a friend, Shiffrin’s relief. Watch the emotions in Semmering
“I’ve spoken to him and he will definitely try to do his best for me,” said Vlhová. The coach himself was more reserved on this matter:
“I’ll see what the track and the organizers allow me.” After the giant slalom on Wednesday, the competitors will do a night slalom on Thursday at the same venue.
Vlhová will start in the first run of Wednesday’s giant slalom wearing number 5. We will follow the match live. Consult the starting list: